“When you come to the edge of all of the light you've known, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown; faith is knowing one of two things will happen. You'll have something solid to stand on, or you'll be taught how to fly.”

I've read this poem by Patrick Overton aloud more times than I can remember. I use it as part of a closing blessingway for the pregnant mothers to be in my childbirth classes, and have for years because it seems so perfectly suited to the unknowns of labor and birth.

But, it's just as well adapted to the many other uncertainties life throws at us. And for most of us, life can toss some crazy and unexpected scenarios. I’ve seen it in my own life and in the lives of those around me lately. Change is everywhere, blowing in the wind~ things that seemed stable and normal before are all of a sudden not: relationships, jobs, economic stability.

Everyone knows change is natural, but it's also really uncomfortable, especially when you really have no freaking idea what's next.

Generally, I like to plan, analyze and ponder (and sometimes end up way over thinking things.)

But I’m finding that sometimes, in uncharted waters, all that planning just stresses me out even more, because even after careful consideration, I still have no freaking idea how things will turn out.

At some point, I suppose I’ve grown tired of trying to figure things out, and am trying to just be open to what’s next.

Trusting the universe is an easier concept in theory than reality, and I know that I have a long way to go in the endeavor. But, for me, just letting go of even part of that illusion of control and being open, even just for a small while... that was a big step for me.

And it was the right step, because I found that when I was just open to whatever good things were out there, even if I had no idea what they were going to look like, well... good things came my way, and lots of them.

But being open was just the first step. Once some potentially good thing comes into your universe, you have to decide whether to take more steps towards it. There is effort involved in most cases~ a door doesn’t just open and engulf you. No... you actually have to choose to go through it, and in most cases, you won’t know exactly what’s on the other side or how it will work out.

Which is where faith comes in, and learning to leap through the door and into the unknown, trusting that there will be a solid place to land, or that you’re gonna learn how to use your wings.

Just this morning, as I was thinking and re-thinking a "next step" in my life, this popped into my email from Bassam Tarazi:"You’re supposed to be unsure. You’re supposed to wonder. You’re supposed to be scared. But I promise you that the trying you do in the face of doubt will be more interesting and more fulfilling than doing something you’re certain of.Sometimes we just have to let go and summon chaos."

And so, I'm learning to leap, and I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit. I'm flying by the seat of my pants a good deal of the time, but at least I'm in the air.

With one barely-grown-up kid just moved to Jerusalem, a daughter and granddaughter in Germany and a son-in-law in Afghanistan, instead of Learning to Leap, I'm "Learning to Sleep." It's kind of the same thing - letting your mind and your heart just BE and know that All Will Be Well. It's a constant process, no?

Erin, your heartstrings are really stretched all over the world, and I suppose it really is the same thing~ It all boils down to letting go and trusting. And enjoying it too~ you raised some wonderfully adventurous people who love life and are out exploring what the world has to offer. That's quite an accomplishment!
Living in times with wonderful technology that keeps you guys connected from across oceans is pretty enjoyable too. :-)

I happen to be in full flight at the moment, although now I can just about see land in the horizon. It's scary, but absolutely necessary sometimes. It's been bumpy some of the way, but it seems to be getting smoother with time. Like with everything else, there's a learning curve. ;)

Good luck with your leaping Marcia and kudos to you for having the courage to jump! I agree that there's a learning curve and I'll bet that just when I think I'm getting the hang of it, something new and unexpected will be thrown in the mix. Even if it's bumpy, I think the flight is worth it. Best wishes to you for a happy landing :-)

Pamela, I love the quotes you use to evoke that pioneer spirit of Trust! The void, the unknown is the place of possibility and wonder. Every experience won't be perfect, but the outcome is always perfect. The metaphor of giving birth is powerful and compelling for Trust!

The unknown is frightening for that lack of familiarity, yet the familiar can be frightening for its feelings of sameness. What's left but to jump, and see what exists within that void of creation?

I love the last line of Bassam Tarazi's quote so much - 'Sometimes we just have to let go and summon chaos.' Nietsche said something about needing a little chaos to give birth to a dancing star, so with the combination of those two, letting go and trusting feels like a fun party :)

I love it~ Letting go *IS* like a party, isn't it? And I do love parties!
Along those lines, it can be nerve wracking leading up to it, and even thinking about letting go, but once the ball is rolling and up in the air, it really can be freeing.
Have a great weekend!

I am so happy I stumbled onto this. I was actually looking for affirmation images because of a project I am working on and came to this post. It speakkks to me. Isn't it comforting to know that we all go thru similar experiences? May 15 of this year I lost my lob and husband ended up/in hospital for 15 days. It has been an interesting ride. I have no job and very limited resources now. Years ago I learned that I could still be self reliant without a 9 to 5 but it's a challenge. My faith is not in the universe though, but in the One who made the universe! And in all this trial I've learned the same letting go and trusting. I really feel like I'm being forced to fly in even new levels of faith. I am finally getting ready to do some on line classes and move further into my passion, which is life or health coaching. Some prayers get answered in strange ways, but I'm thankful for the growth., thank you for sharing your story. God Bless!